Los Angeles Angels catcher Anthony Bemboom, left, tags out Chicago White Sox’ Jon Jay, trying to score on a single to center field by James McCann, during the sixth inning of a baseball game in Anaheim, Calif., Sunday, Aug. 18, 2019. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)

Los Angeles Angels’ Wilfredo Tovar celebrates with Anthony Bemboom after Bemboom hit a two-run home run during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Chicago White Sox in Anaheim, Calif., Sunday, Aug. 18, 2019. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)

Los Angeles Angels center fielder Brian Goodwin slides and traps the ball hit for a single by Chicago White Sox’s James McCann with shortstop Wilfredo Tovar, left, watching during the sixth inning of a baseball game in Anaheim, Calif., Sunday, Aug. 18, 2019. Goodwin was able to recover the ball and throw out White Sox’s John Jay at the plate. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)

Los Angeles Angels center fielder Brian Goodwin has the ball pop out of his glove for a single by Chicago White Sox’s James McCann during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Chicago White Sox in Anaheim, Calif., Sunday, Aug. 18, 2019. Goodwin was able to recover and throw out White Sox’s Jon Jay at home. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)

Los Angeles Angels’ Matt Thaiss, center, is congratulated by Luis Rengifo and Kole Calhoun after hitting a three-run home run against the Chicago White Sox during the second inning of a baseball game in Anaheim, Calif., Sunday, Aug. 18, 2019. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)

Chicago White Sox’s James McCann is congratulated by teammates after scoring on a triple by Eloy Jimenez during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels in Anaheim, Calif., Sunday, Aug. 18, 2019. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)

Chicago White Sox’s Jose Abreu, right, is checked by the team trainer and manager Rick Renteria, left, after being hit by a pitch during the first inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels in Anaheim, Calif., Sunday, Aug. 18, 2019. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)

Los Angeles Angels designated hitter Shohei Ohtani runs to first after hitting a ground out during the first inning of a baseball game against the Chicago White Sox in Anaheim, Calif., Sunday, Aug. 18, 2019. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)

Chicago White Sox’ Jose Abreu, right, is checked by the team trainer and manager Rick Renteria, left, after being hit by a pitch during the first inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels in Anaheim, Calif., Sunday, Aug. 18, 2019. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)

Los Angeles Angels designated hitter Shohei Ohtani rounds first after hitting a two-run home run against the Chicago White Sox during the seventh inning of a baseball game in Anaheim, Calif., Sunday, Aug. 18, 2019. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)

ANAHEIM — As Griffin Canning looks back his rollercoaster of a rookie season, he believes one of the biggest adjustments that got him moving in the right direction is a simple one.

Don’t think too much.

Canning gave up one run in seven innings to lead the Angels to a 9-2 victory over the Chicago White Sox on Sunday.

His was the best performance among a few rookies, including a four-RBI day from Matt Thaiss, that helped the Angels to their fourth victory in the past five games, on a day that Mike Trout got his first day off in a month.

The victory started on the mound with Canning, who said the key for him is mental.

“Honestly, I would overthink wherever I am,” Canning said. “It’s kind of the nature of it. As much as you can try to put the thoughts out of your mind and trust your preparation and the scouting reports that we have, and just kind of go out and pitch the better off you’ll be.”

Canning made liberal use of his slider among his 101 pitches, on his way to equaling his career highs with seven innings and eight strikeouts.

His pitch-count had gotten him into trouble before, but he said when he’s simply being aggressive in the strike zone — and not thinking too much — he’s at his best.

“You can kind of let your stuff play as best as you can,” Canning said. “Just have that mindset of being on the attack and throwing strikes and being aggressive.”

Canning has now had quality starts in two of his past three outings, sandwiched around a trip to the injured list. He is looking more like the pitcher he was during his first 11 starts of his big league career, before a rough patch that followed.

The 23-year-old now has a 4.58 ERA over 18 big league games, including 17 starts and one relief appearance necessitated by the Angels going 16 innings last month.

“It’s pretty obvious things haven’t been going the way I want them to,” Thaiss said. “I think today was a step in the right direction. Just out there working every day and it was a step in the right direction.”

Rookie Anthony Bemboom also hit his first big league homer, a two-run shot in his eighth big league game, and rookie Luís Rengifo reached base three times, including two hits.

Adding to the parade of successful young players, reigning Rookie of the Year Shohei Ohtani blasted a two-run homer in the seventh. It was his first homer of the month and second since the All-Star break.

The young players added their performances to Kole Calhoun’s career-high 27th homer to give the Angels an encouraging day as the standings dictate that their focus shifts toward 2020.

“It’s good because it’s a learning experience, a confidence-builder,” Ausmus said. “We have a lot of young guys on this roster, and with Trouty getting an off-day, I think three of our four infielders started at Salt Lake this year. Bemboom was there. They contributed, and it just builds their resume and confidence.”

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